Supervisors Veto District

Support Anti-toll Moves

March 23, 1989|By BOB KEMPER Staff Writer

GLOUCESTER — The county will write another letter to the governor opposing tolls on the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge.

The Board of Supervisors decided in a meeting late Tuesday night to write in an effort to stop the state Transportation Board from imposing a $1 toll and a 60-cent commuter fee on the bridge as early as July 1.

The board also voted against forming a transportation district with York County, saying it won't solve the county's immediate transportation problems, including the bridge troubles.

The actions came on the heels of a huge turnout by angry residents earlier in that meeting. Almost 200 people showed up for an unscheduled discussion of tolls and what the county could do to stop them.

The state Transportation Board, which is appointed by the governor, decided last week to reinstitute the tolls that ended in 1976 to help pay the $67 million cost of expanding the Coleman bridge from two lanes to four lanes. Construction on the bridge may not start for five years.

Supervisors have written to Gov. Gerald L. Baliles and to transportation officials in the past to oppose a toll. After a half-hour hearing of residents, the supervisors also agreed to have County Attorney Michael T. Soberick examine whether the county can take legal action to stop the state from imposing the toll.

Supervisor Benjamin F. Seawell Jr. also said he had contacted two Richmond law firms seeking advice on whether the county can get an injunction against the state. He is awaiting a response.

Residents in two meetings in as many days have talked about filing a class action lawsuit to stop the tolls.

They also have encouraged one another to write and call transportation officials, state lawmakers and the governor complaining about the toll.

York County officials, worried about the effect a new York River crossing, had asked Gloucester officials to help form a transportation district.

At first, officials said the district could give the localities a means to raise money for a $206-million upriver bridge. But since the state announced its plans, officials had emphasized using the district as a means to coordinate and plan other road improvements in the area.

The Gloucester supervisors had been divided on the district during several discussions and a joint meeting with the York board, but they voted unanimously Tuesday to not form one.